Ciputra: Maintain Balinese Building Concepts

One of Indonesia's largest real estate developers, Ciputra, told BisnisBali that he took personal pride in the Bali concept of building.

While attending an international real estate conference in Bali, Ciputra said the Balinese desire to make their buildings adopt their local environment needs to be copied and adopted by others.

Said Ciputra: "Construction in Bali makes me proud. The Balinese have laid the foundation for development which pays attention to the environment."

Ciputra, the former President of the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), praised local rules which forbid buildings that stand higher than coconut trees. He said Bali should not compromise with those who try to change the rules.

Ciputra also pointed to north Bali, east Bali and west Bali as areas of the island where real estate investments can assist in the development of local economies.

The 61st FIABCI congress was held in Nusa Dua, May 24-28, 2010, drawing 987 participants from 41 countries. The gathering adopted "Green Shoots for Sustainable Real Estate as its central theme focusing on innovation, funding, eco-property and green tourism.

Indonesia's Vice-President opened the conference at which Bali's governor at which Made Mangku Pastika also spoke on the concept of developing "green tourism."